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reference definition

ref·er·ence (ref′ə rəns, ref′rəns)

noun

  1. a referring or being referred; esp., submission of a problem, dispute, etc. to a person, committee, or authority for settlement
  2. relation; connection; regard in reference to his letter
    1. the directing of attention to a person or thing
    2. a mention or allusion
    1. an indication, as in a book or article, of some other work or passage to be consulted
    2. the work or passage so indicated
    3. the mark or sign, as a number, letter, or symbol, directing the reader to a footnote, etc.
      in full reference mark
    1. the giving of the name of another person who can offer information or recommendation
    2. the person so indicated
    3. a written statement of character, qualification, or ability, as of someone seeking a position; testimonial
    1. use or consultation to get information, as an aid in research, etc.: often attributive reference books
    2. a book, etc. used for reference

transitive verb referenced -·enced, referencing -·enc·ing

to provide with references
reference Idioms

make reference to

to refer to; mention

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms reference idiom

reference Synonyms

reference

n.

  1. The act of referring

    indicating, pointing out, mentioning, citing, bringing up, stating, attributing, connecting, associating, relating.

  2. An allusion

    mention, citation, hint, implication; see allusion, quotation 1.

  3. A source

    text, original text, book, article, writing, standard work, reference book, dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, directory, guidebook, footnote, eyewitness, informant, evidence; see also dictionary, source 2.

  4. A person or statement giving testimony as to someone's character, abilities, etc.

    friend, employer, patron, associate, backer, booster*, recommendation*, endorsement*, testimonial; see also recommendation 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

reference Usage Examples

Converse of subject

  • calculate: The amount of the statutory redundancy payment is calculated by reference to the employe's age, length of employment and pay.

Converse of object

  • cite: Composites Design and Manufacture ( BEng ) - MATS 324 Examples of how to cite the references in your reports.

Adjective modifier

  • bibliographic: The resource contains several chapters that highlight the most current information available ( very often containing bibliographic references ).

Modifies a noun

  • agency: Credit reference agencies keep a wider range or information.

Noun used with modifier

  • grid: The search can be carried out by street, postcode, place or Ordnance Survey grid reference.
reference usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

reference quotes

I have only one purposeöthe destruction of Hitler, and my life ismuch simplified thereby.If Hitler invaded Hell,I would at least make a favourable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons.

-Churchill, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer

People must not do things for fun.We are not here for fun. There isno reference to fun in any Act of Parliament.

-Herbert, SirA(lan) P(atrick)

reference quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"reference." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/reference>

APA Style

reference. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/reference

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